Grassroots Drag Racing in the '50s: Life Magazine at Cordova Dragway

Sometime in the 1950s, Life magazine sent photographer Grey Villet to shoot a story on drag racing, at Cordova Dragway Park, just outside of Moline, Illinois.  Life apparently never published the photos that he made that day (they're now available at Google's Life magazine photo archive).  It should have.  Villet produced a terrific photo-essay that captures the essence of early grassroots drag racing.

Grey Villet:  Drag Racing In Moline , Ill.  © Time Inc.  (Click directly on any of these images to see larger versions.  It's worth the trouble.  This photo is amazing.)

Cordova was one of the first purpose-built dragstrips in the country.  At the time, most drag racing was done on airport runways or on the street.  It's not clear exactly when Villet shot these photos, but it was probably soon after the dragstrip opened in 1956.  Grandstands seem to be minimal, and electronic timing and the "Christmas tree" starting lights hadn't yet replaced the flagman.

Grey Villet:  Drag Racing In Moline , Ill.  © Time Inc.

Then, as now, drag racing is as much about hanging out with friends and family as it is about the actual competition.  Both are important, but it's sometimes hard to say which comes first.

By the way, the closest city to Cordova is Moline, Illinois, which is just across the river from Iowa and only a couple hours away from Dubuque.  It makes sense that the Slo-Pokes would have made the drive.

Grey Villet:  Drag Racing In Moline , Ill.  © Time Inc.

Making a car go fast, using only your own hands and brains (and those of a couple friends) was and is one of the thrill of grassroots racing.

Grey Villet:  Drag Racing In Moline , Ill.  © Time Inc.

Drag racing was a new phenomenon, in the 1950s, and the editors of magazines like Life weren't always sure how they felt about it.  In 1957, for instance, Life published "The Drag Racing Rage,"in which it acknowledged that the sport had gained some respectability, but worried that the "glorification of speed" would infect "teen-agers with the fatal spirit of derring-do."

Grey Villet:  Drag Racing In Moline , Ill.  © Time Inc.  (Remember, you can click directly on any of the photos to see larger versions.  This one's pretty spectacular.)

Villet's photos don't reflect his editors' concerns at all.  He approached drag racing with an open mind--and with a very sharp eye.

Grey Villet:  Drag Racing In Moline , Ill.  © Time Inc.

The racing machines clearly fascinated him.

Grey Villet:  Drag Racing In Moline , Ill.  © Time Inc.

He understood that a good flagman was also a good showman.

Grey Villet:  Drag Racing In Moline , Ill.  © Time Inc.

Like so many photographers, he knew that, in the right hands, speed and danger be combined to produce powerful images.

Grey Villet:  Drag Racing In Moline , Ill.  © Time Inc.

Villet had the insight to take his viewers into the timing tower, knowing that there wouldn't be much of a race without the officials.

It's no coincidence that there's a woman in the tower.  While only a few women raced in the 1950s, their labor was vital to the operation of any track.  Still is, by the way.

Grey Villet:  Drag Racing In Moline , Ill.  © Time Inc.

At small dragstrips these days, most of the spectators are likely to be friends and relatives of the men and women driving the cars.  I wonder if it was true then, too.

Grey Villet:  Drag Racing In Moline , Ill.  © Time Inc.

Another timeless truth...  Beautiful young women and fast cars go together like peaches and cream.

Life went back to Cordova in 1963, publishing an article called "Man, What a Drag:  Bizarre Hot Rods Go Respectable."  (Click on the link to see it.)  The photographer was Orlando Suero.  None of Villet's photos were used.

* * *

Cordova Dragway Park is still very much in business.  It's best known as the home of the annual World Series of Drag Racing, the oldest continually contested drag race in the country.  Last year, Cordova hosted the event for the 56th straight year.

I'm eager to learn more about these photos.  You know can shed any light on the race track or on Villet's assignment, please comment on the post or send me an email.

* * *

Note, 2 May 2013:  I now close comments on these posts after two months in order to control spam.  But, as you can see below, this particular post has generated a lot of fascinating comments over the years.  If you have something to add, feel free to email me, and I'll add what you have to say to the comments.  You'll find my address in the upper right hand corner of this page.

* * *

Comments

[Pat Riley]

Loved the '' Bowlesmobile'' picture,, George Bowles from Moline---and I think he is still around... We have a world class drag strip here in Colorado, but Cordova still ranks number one ....Lots of history and memories.

[John Edwin Mason]

Thanks very much for your comments, Pat.

It's great to be able to put a name to the Bowlesmobile photo. I hope that George is still around, too. Maybe he'll see the photo.

[Alan Booton]

Life did run a story with photos taken at Cordova.
I had the issue last year and gave it to Ed Breugge
who's Possum Chaser was pictured.
Al Booton

[Brooks]

My husband thinks Cordova originally had a different name????? Any ideas?

[John]

Hi, Brooks.

I wish I could answer your question. Maybe someone else will chime in.

[Brett]

I believe it opened as Quad City Dragway. Bob Bartel and a couple others built the track. My father raced there in the 50's, he started working there in the late 50's until the mid 70's. So I basicly grow up there. I think my mother still has tons of pictures from that era, someday I get them scanned and posted.

[Mark Griebel]

I believe George passed away a few years back. He was a great man.

[Mark Griebel]

George Bowles passed away a few years ago. He is missed.

[kyle milefchik]

He is right It was quad cities drag way. I live about 10 miles gran it now

[Bob Phelps]

It did open as Quad City Dragway. Bob Bartel's partner was Keith Cordell(a Moline City Policeman)and Ken Roberts. I raced their in 56 - 58. I worked there in the 60's as Security during the World Series of Drags. I would take a week off from the Sheriff's Department and stay at the track. I hope Brett (above) scanned and post the photos his mother has. Still the best drag strip around.

[George M Bowles]

my father passed away back in 2007 at age 73 in Missouri where he retired to. Thanks so much for showing a pic of the Bowlesmobile and him driving it, it is quite a great photo! in addition to being a racer and mechanic, he later became a tournament fisherman along the Mississippi and lakes in Missouri, as well as a prolific wildlife artist. he is missed.

[John]

George, thanks very much for your comment. It makes me happy to know that you stumbled across the photo of your father and the Bowlesmobile.

In fact, I need to thank everyone who has commented on this post over the years. I've learned a lot from everyone.